Gear Closet: Keen Revel II Hiking Boots

With temperatures dropping – and even colder weather on the way – a good hiking boot designed to handle rain and snow is a must for any gear closet. After all, we have excellent gear to keep our other body parts warm, and we definitely don't want to neglect our feet either.

Arriving just in time for winter, Keen has just started shipping their new Revel II hiking boots, which have some innovative new features to help keep our feet warm on cold weather hikes. They also manage to maintain Keen's typical high level of durability and comfort while also managing to look good in the process.

Keen has designed the Revel II to have a more traditional look when compared to some of the other footwear in their line-up. These boots have a more understated appearance that makes them feel right at home on the trail, and the high ankle support is a welcome addition to what may be the most sturdy dedicated hiking boots in the Keen catalog.
One of the features of this boot that helps them to stand out from the crowd and makes them a good choice for winter hiking is what Keen calls their Heat Trapolator Insulation System. This patent pending design includes three layers of insulation for the foot that helps keep warmth inside the shoe. This extends under the foot as well, helping to keep the bottoms of our feet toast warm. This approach makes a lot of sense considering that when hiking on snow and ice, much of the cold temperatures emanate from the ground itself.

Keeping our feet comfortable doesn't end with simply staying warm however. The Revel II boots are also waterproof to keep excess moisture out, while a breathable, wicking liner helps to pull moisture away from the foot too. The result is a boot that keeps your feet dry in all but the worst of conditions. When paired with a good pair of socks, most hikers will be ready to face the elements with a smile on their face.

As mentioned, these boots are very comfortable, which is a Keen trademark for sure. I did find that the break-in period for these shoes was a bit longer than some of the other Keen boots that I've worn, but once they did loosen up, they felt as good on my feet as I had expected. For a full-size, rugged boot, they are also lighter in weight than they would appear at first glance, although it doesn't seem that Keen has had to sacrifice any durability in achieving this svelte design.

The Revel II's aggressive outsole does a good job of holding their grip on both dry and wet surfaces, although once again there was a short break-in period before this happened. Out of the box, the bottom of the shoes felt smooth and slick but after wearing them for a bit, they seemed to improve. I'm not sure if my pair of boots shipped from the factory with a slick coating on the bottom, but traction certainly improved after putting a bit of mileage on them.

If you're in the market for a pair of hiking boots that are suitable for cool, or even cold weather hikes, than Keen's new offering may be exactly what you're looking for. They are comfortable, durable and perform well on snow and ice. They also happen to have traditional good looks and sturdy construction that should make them last for years to come. Available for $160, these aren't the least expensive shoes available from Keen, but they just might be the most capable hiking boots the company currently makes.

Gear Closet: Keen Alpha WP CNX Hiking Shoes

When shoe company Keen isn't busy building sandals to our custom specifications they're putting together some of the most comfortable and versatile footwear available to travelers and outdoor enthusiasts. For the past ten years Keen has pushed the envelope in terms of design while continually creating lightweight and durable products for both town and trail. That tradition continues with their new line of CNX shoes, which feature a minimalist design that doesn't compromise on stability or protection.

The latest addition to the CNX line-up is the new Alpha WP, a low-cut shoe that has been built with the multi-sport athlete in mind.  It features a lightweight midsole and contoured arch support that allow these shoes to feel much sturdier than their 12 ounce (340 gram) weight would normally imply. The Alpha has a unique, flexible sole that keeps your feet in tune with the surface yet still provides plenty of comfort and protection. In keeping with Keen's typical high standards, the shoes are also very durable, brushing off all kinds of punishment while remaining as good looking as if they had just come out of the box.

At first glance, the Alpha resembles a mash-up of a light hiking shoe and a trail runner. Its synthetic upper is soft, lightweight and breathable. It also happens to be waterproof, which lends these shoes a level of versatility that isn't found in many of tis competitors. This combination of properties makes these a great shoe for hitting the trail for just about any kind of activity. While putting my pair of Alphas to the test, I took them hiking on trails of mud and rock, mountain biking and even trail running. In each case, they performed exceptionally well. At the end of each of those activities my feet felt as comfortable as they did when I first set-out. That's no small feat for footwear that weigh so little.



One of my favorite aspects of Keen shoes has always been the fact that there is little to no break-in time. That holds true here as well. Typically I take a new pair of hiking shoes out of the box and wear them while running errands around town for awhile before I actually hit the trail, but when I put the Alphas on for the first time they felt like they were good to go straight out of the box. As a result, I never experienced any kind of abrasions or blistering while wearing these shoes, even when I hiked a substantial number of miles in them on hot Texas trails.

As mentioned, these shoes are waterproof and feature Keen's proprietary Keen.dry technology. At the heart of that system is a breathable membrane that manages to keep moisture out while also allowing heat and vapor from inside the shoe to escape. This is an extremely effective system as the shoes managed to keep my feet nice and dry while crossing streams but also kept them from getting too warm during the heat of the day. When paired with a lightweight hiking sock, these shoes are perfect for just about any conditions.

Many of Keen's shoes have a styling that makes them work well both on the trail or in casual settings around town. The design of the Alpha definitely lean more towards the trail however, although I still found plenty of reasons to wear them in an urban setting where they performed equally well. Because they are lightweight and easy to pack, they also make great shoes for the active traveler, where versatility and performance are greatly appreciated.

If you're in the market for a pair of shoes that can serve you equally well on local trails – both on foot and on a bike – or while trekking in remote locations on the other side of the planet, the Keen Alpha WP is a great option. These lightweight, comfortable and durable, not to mention waterproof, shoes are a great investment for the active outdoor enthusiast who doesn't want to break the bank. Keen has priced these shoes at $130, which seems like quite the bargain for a footwear that is this easy to like.

Follow Up: Keen "Build Your Own Shoe" Experience

A few weeks ago I posted about a new option from Keen footwear that allows you to build your own custom pair of their iconic Newport sandals. The new site gives you the option to select the individual colors of nearly every part of the shoe allowing you to completely personalize the look of your sandals. At the time, I had just gone through the process and was waiting for my shoes to built and sent my way. Keen indicated it would take 2-3 weeks for delivery and I promised I'd follow up once I had the final product in hand. The shoes arrived on my doorstep a week and a half ago and I have to say I'm quite impressed.

Over the years I have owned several pairs of the Newport sandals and they have always been one of my favorite shoes. The Newports are perfect for kicking around town, light duty on a trail, relaxing in camp or as a travel shoe. They are versatile, comfortable and good looking and they perform well in and around the water too. In short, they are a fantastic option for an urban adventure or one that takes you to the far side of the globe.

I wasn't sure if that description would hold up for a pair of Newports that I designed myself and Keen custom built to my specifications, but considering Keen's legacy for creating excellent products, I should have known better than to worry. My new sandals have a fantastic build quality and look great too, which wasn't always a given considering I picked all of the colors myself. But more than all of that, this new pair of sandals are by far the most comfortable Newports that I have worn. That says something considering they weren't just picked off the rack in a retail store but were instead built specifically for me.

The new "Build Your Own" option is not only fun it delivers a great pair of shoes too. That is exactly what you'd expect from Keen but it was nice to have those expectations not just met but exceeded. If you're a fan of Keen's active sandals, the ability to create your own is a compelling option. Sure, you can still go buy a pair of Newports in your favorite outdoor store and they'll serve you well. But for a few dollars more, you can get a pair built to your own custom design. Why not express your creativity and go with this option? You won't be disappointed.

Keen Launches "Build Your Own Shoe" Option

One of the coolest things I saw at this year's Outdoor Retailer gear show was a sneak peek from Keen on their new option to build your own custom version of their classic Newport Sandals. In a cool behind the scenes demo, I got an early look at a website that would allow customers to choose colors for various parts of the shoe, including the laces, soles and even the individual straps. At the end of the demo we were told that the new website was in beta testing but would go live soon, and true to their word, Keen launched the "Build Your Own Keen" option last week and I was fortunate enough to get the chance to take it for a test drive.

The Newport is the perfect shoe for Keen to use to introduce this new option. After all, is the sandal that put the company on the map and has remained a mainstay in their line-up for the past ten years. This is a shoe that is durable, comfortable and versatile enough to go with you just about anywhere and my aging pair have been with me on many adventures. The close toed design makes them a great option for hiking trails, paddling rivers or just kicking around camp. They're even stylish enough that you'll enjoy wearing them on your urban adventures too.

Knowing what I know about these shoes and Keen's new option for building your own custom designs, I was eager to see just what the new website would allow a customer to do. I was not disappointed. Choosing from numerous color options and patterns I was able to create a one of a kind pair of Newports that aren't likely be matched by anyone who crosses my path. The colors options allow you to be as conservative or wild as you want and it is possible to select each and ever individual strap, giving you the ability to create some truly outrageous looking shoes.


The site is incredibly easy to use, but more than that it is also incredibly addictive. I hopped on to see what it could do figuring I'd spend 10-15 minutes putting together something that I liked. An hour later I realized that I was never going to complete my order unless I stopped playing around and made some tough decisions about which color combos to go with. I eventually did just that but not before lamenting the various choices that I had to reject in favor of my final choices

Building your own custom Newport sandals will set you back $130, which is $30 more than buying a pair off the rack. Not bad for a pair of shoes that is completely built to your specifications and expresses your own individuality. Keen says that it takes approximately 2-3 weeks to get your shoes after they've been ordered and my pair hasn't arrived yet. Once they do get here, I'll do a follow-up post with my thoughts on the final project. I suspect it will be indistinguishable from any other pair of Newports in terms of quality and comfort, it'll just happen to be of a design of my own creation.

Try your hand at building your own custom Keen sandals by clicking here.